The Lake County Symphony Orchestra was founded as the Full Score Chamber Orchestra by its charter members in 2004 for the purposes of continuing to partner together musically and share the gift of creative live music wherever it could. The organization started by building strong relationships with the Zion Park District, Zion Benton High School, Zion District 6, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America to provide enriching musical events for Zion and surrounding communities. Growing deep into Lake County since those early days, more developing partnerships continue to benefit children and adults both culturally and educationally, and enhance the cultural offerings in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. 

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Since its first summer, LCSO has launched several major annual events - Kids Koncerts, Welcome Christmas, Timeless Classics and Celebration of Classical Jazz. Families are encouraged to bring their children and picnics for a fun relaxing evening of great music under the evening sky at the outdoor concerts on July 4th and Labor Day weekend. Kids Koncerts yearly play for over 1,000 children. The Christmas concert features the best of secular and sacred favorites - often with singers and choir partnerships with local churches. Concerts usually include an informative narration by Artistic Director, Ron Arden. The rare addition of jazz, rock, diverse ethnic, and pops genres to an already gifted classical ensemble is the creative and passionate offering of the LCSO. The orchestra's Timeless Classics event in winter heralds the best of great symphonic literature.

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Lake County Symphony Orchestra is indeed one of the most invigorating musical ensembles on Chicago's north shore and presently the only professional orchestra in Lake County. In addition to its regular season, LCSO has served as accompaniment for headline artists at the Genesee Theater in Waukegan for such artists as Marie Osmond, The Temptations, Clay Aiken, Symphonic Led Zeppelin, and The Roy Orbison Virtual Tour - to name just a few. The orchestra in total and/or part is available for professional musical services. Members playing come from Milwaukee to Chicago and part of the LCSO mission is to include advanced students and community musicians on its' stage. 

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In 2018, the LCSO started a very successful relationship with Chicago composer Charles Brown to feature one work each season. The celebration of these world premiers puts the LCSO on the cutting edge i the symphonic world and further marks it as an orchestra not only dedicated to excellence but committed to developing the lives of partnering artists.